Twenty BuildingsTwenty Places

The relationship between architecture and urban design

Alec TzannesSeptember 2007

• Cohesive development controls throughout Australia with distinguishable regional differences.

• Strong legal frameworks for the design and management of the built environment.

• Architecture as a catalyst for legal, environmental and social change.

• Architecture at the intersection of cultural constructs, legal reform, financialimperative, community and social infrastructure.

• Architecture as an expressive medium.

Architecture is a cultural proposition in an urban context.

Tzannes Associates - Ten Guiding Principles

1. Each project, each site, each client brief and development framework has a unique design context and requires original research to form the concept for the architecture.

2. Architecture derives from both an understanding of the legal framework and independent, ‘first principles’ analysis. This often results in innovative, approvable architectural concepts that combine unforseen public benefits for the approving authority and exceptional development opportunity for the client.

3. Engagement through a consultative approach with the approving authority and the community is often used to overcome prejudice in the assessment of innovative solutions to particular sites.

4. Architecture is research based integrating planning, urban design, engineering, material science, environmental science, construction and cost planning techniques.

5. Architecture is knowledge based from a thorough understanding of precedent.

6. Architectural solutions are not biased towards any material, spatial concept, planning or layout principle, or construction technique.

7. Each building is designed to minimise energy waste and life cycle cost.

8. Architecture comes from clarity in expression and an authentic representation of the time and place of its conception including the integration of the skills of related design professionals, construction tradespeople, artisans and artists.

9. Scale, material character, detail, spatial effect, the manipulation of light in space, the contribution to the design of the public domain, the effective functional use within buildings, are the core tools of the architect.

10. At Tzannes, architecture involves the making of buildings and places and every aspect of this work is considered as a core service skill for our clients.

Public places, cultural concepts Three monuments in Sydney

Federation Pavilion - Centennial Park, Sydney (1988)

Federation Gate and Drive - Centennial Park, Sydney (2001)

The Cauldron and Overflow Park - Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney (2001)

Principles

Each of these works is completely different in architectural expression reflecting the cultural symbolism developed from the brief.

The architectural design process for all three monuments was the same, starting from an analysis of the site, the history of development, the study of relevant historical material and the application of architectural skill in the use of structure, lighting, material and other services.

Each monument is valued by the community it serves. Each place is heavily used, and contributes positively to the interpretive culture of the place.

Architectural design evolves from an understanding of the physical and cultural characteristics of particular places.

Federation Pavilioncentennial park, sydney

Federation Gate and Drivecentennial park, sydney

The Cauldron and Overflow Parksydney olympic park, sydney

Making neighbourhoodslarge mixed use developments

North Wing and York Apartments - Newcastle (2004)

Balfour Park - Chippendale, Sydney (current)

Ashton House - Elizabeth Bay, Sydney (current)

North Wing and York Apartmentsnewcastle, australia

Balfour Parkchippendale, sydney

Ashton Houseelizabeth bay, sydney

Kiaora Landsdouble bay, sydney

Coopers Cornerdouble bay, sydney

490 Crown Streetsurry hills, sydney

Moncur Commercial Developmentwoollahra, sydney

Residential Design

Shein Residencesydney

Point Piper Residencesydney

Cooper Park Residencesydney

Town Housessydney

Nursey Residencepaddington, sydney

Arthur Residencepaddington, sydney

Public Building Infrastructure

Fort Denisonsydney harbour

Homebush Bay Ferry Terminalsydney

Sydney City Council Chamberstown hall, sydney

St Catherine’s Junior Schoolwaverley, sydney

St Catherine’s Gymnasium and Auditoriumwaverley, sydney

National Art School, New gallerydarlinghurst, sydney